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Savannah man arrested for attempt to have sex with underage special-needs child in Florida

Stephen Joseph Woods

A 33-year-old Savannah man was arrested Friday when he traveled to St. Johns County, Fla., thinking he was meeting a juvenile female for sex at a motel, according to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office.

Stephen Joseph Woods was charged with four felony counts, including use of a computer to seduce, solicit or lure a child; use of a computer to solicit parent or guardian’s consent; travel to meet after using a computer to lure a child; and using a two-way communications device to facilitate a felony.

Kevin Kelshaw, sherrif’s office spokesman, said Woods was booked in the county jail and remains there in lieu of bonds totaling $400,000.

Kelshaw said a special victim’s unit detective from the sheriff’s office began an electronic conversation with the suspect in the middle of October. Woods believed he was talking to the guardian of a special-needs child. Woods allegedly solicited sexual activity with the minor from the guardian.

He also believed he was communicating with a 13-year-old female and indicated he was still interested in engaging in sexual activity with the child, Kelshaw said.

Woods was arrested outside a motel room about 7 p.m. Friday after meeting an undercover detective posing as the child’s guardian.

Kelshaw said the investigation is ongoing as detectives learned of other potential pending cases for online enforcement involving Woods.